Barry’s folly blows up in his face

OPINION

Clover Moore is one of the most popular politicians in the history of the NSW Parliament.

As she’s proved time and time again, the people want Moore. And that’s what democracy is all about, right? What the people want.

Ms Moore was first elected Member for the electorate of Bligh (now known as Sydney) in 1988 and she’d still be their MP right now if it wasn’t for Premier Barry O’Farrell’s ‘Get Clover Bill’, which forced her to resign, owing to its stipulation that State MPs can’t hold council positions.

So popular is Ms Moore that her endorsement of Alex Greenwich helped him romp home to a stunning win, snaring 47.4 per cent of the vote – despite the fact that he’s untried and untested as a politician.

Nearest rival Shayne Mallard – the Liberal candidate Mr O’Farrell hoped would replace Clover – took 30.8 per cent of the vote, while the Greens’ Chris Harris took 17.7 per cent.

For Barry O’Farrell, this result can only be construed as a slap in the face.

Far from jettisoning a Liberal candidate into Sydney, the change Mr O’Farrell effected was having Clover replaced with another Independent – and one she’s endorsed, supported and mentored at that. Ms Moore continues as Lord Mayor, her preferred successor Mr Greenwich is now MP and the Liberal Party is more marginalised than ever in Sydney, having suffered a swing against them of 5.3 per cent.

What a waste of half a million dollars!

That’s how much this unnecessary by-election cost – which, in an environment of funding cuts for health, education and community services, is nothing short of obscene.

And there’s been another consequence for Inner Sydney – one that’s been given scant attention so far. It’s deprived us of one of our strongest, most energetic political forces, in the form of Shayne Mallard.

For 12 years, Mr Mallard was one of the City of Sydney Council’s hardest-working, most effective councillors. While much of Inner Sydney is left-leaning and loathe to vote Liberal, Mr Mallard earned the respect of the Inner City as a progressive small ‘l’ Liberal who championed such things as cycleways, environmental sustainability, gay and lesbian rights, and even heroin injecting rooms.

Not to mention the usual Liberal Party hobby horses of fiscal responsibility, small business and free enterprise. Mr Mallard was persuaded to give up on local politics to run for the state seat – and now he has neither.

Some will say he got what he deserved as party to Clover’s removal, and that may be so. And of course Mr Mallard went into things knowing full well he could lose. But the fact remains that a valuable voice in Inner City politics has been removed. No, not Clover – she’s still Lord Mayor – but Shayne Mallard.

In short, Barry’s bumbling plan has achieved nothing good for him, the Liberals, Shayne Mallard, Clover Moore or the citizens of Sydney. It’s hard to see who, if anyone, has benefited.

What is plain to see is that Barry’s plan has blown up in his face and will go down as nothing more than an expensive, misguided folly.

The last word on the matter must go to Ms Moore, Sydney’s elected representative for 24 years. She puts the outcome thus:

“It was an emphatic win for democracy and a real rejection of what Barry O’Farrell, the Shooters and Fred Nile did. In fact his legislation has now backfired – he thought he’d get rid of me and now there’s two of us!”

Precisely.

Good on ya, Baz. Next time, stick to meddling in the affairs of the Upper North Shore, where you belong, and leave the Inner City to those who know and understand it.